USADA announced today that Kartik Kumar, of Saharanpur, India, an athlete in the sport of track and field, has accepted a three-year period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation after testing positive for multiple prohibited substances during an out-of-competition test as the result of a tip.
“We’re so grateful for tips, like the one in this case, that allow us to conduct the investigations and testing necessary to root out threats to fair sport,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “It’s essential that we protect this process and the people who courageously help ensure accountability in sport.”
After receiving information from a tipster, USADA performed an out-of-competition test on Kumar, 26, an Indian athlete training in the United States. Kumar tested positive for metandienone metabolites 17a-Methyl-Sb-androstane-3a,17b-diol, 17b-Methyl-Sbandrost-1-ene-3a,17a-diol (epimetendiol) and 17b-hydroxymethyl-17a-methyl-18-nor-androst-1,4,13-trien-3-one (LTM); stanozolol metabolites 3′-hydroxystanozolol and 16b-hydroxystanozolol; and clostebol metabolite 4-chloro-3a-hydroxy-androst-4-en-17-one as the result of the urine sample collected on February 27, 2025. Additionally, Kumar’s urine sample was analyzed using a specialized test known as Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS), that unequivocally differentiates between anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) naturally produced by the body and AAS of synthetic origin. The IRMS analysis was consistent with the exogenous origin of testosterone and/or its metabolites in Kumar’s sample.
USADA collected a follow-up urine sample from Kumar out of competition on March 19, 2025, which was positive for metandienone metabolites 17b-Methyl-Sb-androst-1-ene-3a,17a-diol (epimetendiol), 17-epimethandienone, 17bhydroxymethyl-17a-methyl-18-nor-androst-1,4,13-trien-3-one (LTM), and 6ßhydroxymethandienone. In accordance with the rules, Kumar’s two positive tests were considered a single violation because he had not yet been notified of the first positive test at the time he provided his second sample.
Metandienone, stanozolol, clostebol, testosterone, and their metabolites are Prohibited Substances in the class of Anabolic Agents and are prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policy, and the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Under Article 10.8.1 of the Code, an athlete who faces an anti-doping rule violation that carries a period of ineligibility of four or more years may receive a one-year sanction reduction if the athlete admits the violation and accepts the asserted sanction within 20 days of notification of the alleged anti-doping rule violation charge. Per the rule, Kumar qualified for a one-year reduction to the otherwise applicable four-year period of ineligibility.
Kumar’s three-year period of ineligibility began on April 10, 2025, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Kumar has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to February 27, 2025, the date his first positive sample was collected, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
In an effort to aid athletes, as well as support team members such as parents, coaches, and medical professionals in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to file and update athlete Whereabouts, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements, as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs.
In addition, USADA manages a drug reference hotline, Global Drug Reference Online (GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as a supplement guide, a nutrition guide, a clean sport handbook, and periodic alerts and advisories.
USADA makes available a number of ways to report the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs in sport in an effort to protect clean athletes and promote clean competition. Any tip can be reported using the USADA Play Clean Tip Center, by text at 87232 (“USADA”), by email at playclean@USADA.org, by phone at 1-877-Play Clean (1-877-752-9253) or by mail.
USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement and is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.
For more information or media inquiries, email media@usada.org.
